Designing websites with the user in mind…

At Create8, we’ve developed an effective UX design process that helps our web design and development teams create websites that offer a pleasant, smooth and intuitive user experience. In this article, we’re revealing the research and hard work that goes into creating these websites and getting to the bottom of why people love to use them so much that they keep coming back for more. Let’s get stuck in!

Why does UX matter?

Can you think of any websites that you hate using? I can! One example is my local gym, where my son used to have his swimming lessons. It’s a nightmare to navigate, and I’d always end up going around in circles trying to find the login page. Then when I finally found it, logging in was a struggle too! Needless to say, he doesn’t do his swimming lessons there anymore…

Websites like this are a prime example of poor user experience (UX) and they can leave the user feeling frustrated, irritated and unlikely to return. On the other hand, a website with great UX can delight users, boost conversion rates, and encourage brand loyalty! If you’re a business with an online presence, UX isn’t something you want to overlook.

What is UX design?

Not everyone realises the number of specialists involved in creating a high-performance website. Sure, web designers and developers are important, but the process also requires input from SEO experts, content writers, and, crucially, UX specialists. 

UX designers know what it takes to deliver the best possible user experience. It’s a multifaceted process that looks at various aspects of how users interact with and experience a website. Some areas that it can cover include:

• Extensive user research
• Organising and structuring website elements
• User journey mapping
• Wireframing and prototyping
• UX testing techniques
• Interface design

We’ll learn more about the various stages involved in our UX design process a little later. But first, let’s explore whether UX design and UI design are the same thing.

What’s the difference between UX design and UI design?

UX and UI are inextricably linked, but while the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they aren’t quite the same thing! UI design looks only at the website’s visual and interactive elements – things like its colour scheme, typography, buttons and images. On the other hand, UX examines the customer journey as a whole – looking at the website’s functionality and usability, and elements of UI design are incorporated into this. 

Why is UX design so important?

Now, think back to those websites that you just hate to use. How does the way you experience them impact your perceptions of those businesses? Does it put them in the best light? Does it make you want to return or look elsewhere?

This is the crux of why UX design is so important and your primary motivations for investing in it are likely to enhance your website’s performance and positively influence how users perceive your business. 

Here are some of the ways US could help you do just that:

Enhances user satisfaction – If your website is simple and pleasurable to use, users will be happier and more satisfied with their experience.

Increases user engagement – Good UX makes it easier for users to find their way around your website, which can significantly boost user engagement.

Drives conversions – Straightforward UX and a clear customer journey reduce friction and encourage users to take the desired action, whether that’s making a purchase, registering for an account, or signing up for a newsletter.

Improves accessibility – Effective UX design should make your website accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. This helps to expand your reach, make your website more inclusive, and ensure it complies with standards for website accessibility. 

Boosts customer loyalty – Consistently providing a positive user experience will make users more likely to return to your website and can help build customer loyalty.

Differentiates from competitors – Superior UX can help your website stand out from others that may be more difficult to use.

As you can see, strategically designing your website’s UX could help to improve different aspects of your business’s performance. 

How our UX design process works

Here at Create8, we’ve got our UX design process down to a tee. We’ve helped countless businesses develop websites with seamless user experiences that keep their customers returning time and time again. Here’s how it works…

Pre-discovery research

Our process begins with thorough pre-discovery research. We ask our client to fill out a questionnaire about who their competitors are and then we look at other websites within the sector. We use this research to help us develop a unique user experience that doesn’t just make sense and blend in but also stands out. This can help to position your brand as a market disruptor or trendsetter.

Page mapping document

Following the initial research, we create a page mapping document. This outlines the basic sections that will appear on each page of the website. We send this document to the client to add their thoughts and collaborate with them to identify unconventional sections that could add value to the user. This document is also used as a checklist later when we design the wireframe.

User feedback and user tracking analysis

When available, we analyse user tracking and implement user feedback in the UX design. User tracking software tracks, measures and analyses user behaviour. We use tools like Hotjar to create heat maps, capture user sessions, and identify any pain points on the existing website. This data is then added to the research document to initiate discussions during the discovery meeting about how to tackle any existing user experience issues. 

Discovery meeting

The discovery meeting is a pivotal part of our process. During the discovery meeting, we present the findings of our research to the client and collaborate to brainstorm solutions. Decisions and creative ideas from this meeting are then used to inform the wireframe design.

Wireframe

The website’s wireframe is then designed based largely on the insights and concepts agreed upon during the earlier stages. A wireframe is essentially a skeleton of the site structure and it doesn’t include any visual design or branded elements. 

Any new ideas introduced during the wireframing process are highlighted and reviewed with the client. Once the client is happy with their wireframe, it’s sent to the visual design team so that they can start adding the branding elements.

Our UX collaboration strategies help ensure that we have a deep understanding of the client’s and users’ needs and that the end UX aligns with the client’s vision for their website.

What happens next?

After the UX design is complete, our team continues with our award-winning web design process, bringing the website to life with imagery and interactive elements. 

As a Shopify Partner, we offer specialist Shopify services for launching and managing online stores. We’re also well-equipped to design and build completely bespoke WordPress websites for service-led businesses.

Beyond design and development, we have a team of SEO specialists and professional content writers who are on hand to boost your website’s visibility and credibility online. We can create engaging and persuasive copy and product descriptions for your website or SEO-friendly content to bring you higher up on Google and engage your target audience so that they keep coming back for more.

Contact us today to engage with our UX team, learn more about our UX design services, and discover how we can help implement your website’s UX strategy and boost your business’s online presence today!

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